Friday, 24 July

Ghana loses 60% of VAT revenue annually – Ato Forson says

News
Dr Cassiel Ato Baah Forson

Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson has disclosed that Ghana is losing an estimated 60 percent of its potential Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue because of non-compliance and systemic inefficiencies in tax collection.

Presenting the 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review in Parliament, Dr Forson described the situation as unacceptable and vowed that the government would take decisive steps to address it.

"Currently, Ghana loses an estimated 60 per cent of its potential VAT revenue through non-compliance and systemic inefficiencies," he told Parliament.

"This is unacceptable. Losing 60 per cent of the VAT that you are supposed to collect to develop your country is unacceptable. It cannot continue and under this government it will not continue."

The Finance Minister called on Parliament to support the government's efforts to crack down on businesses and individuals who collect VAT from consumers but fail to remit the tax to the State.

He said the government would deploy fiscal electronic devices to improve the monitoring of taxable transactions, enhance VAT compliance and reduce revenue leakages.

Dr Forson also announced the introduction of a VAT reward scheme, under which customers who obtain valid VAT invoices will qualify for periodic rewards.

According to him, the initiative is intended to encourage consumers to demand VAT invoices and actively participate in safeguarding the country's tax base.

He said these reforms will strengthen the VAT administration, improve revenue mobilisation and ensure businesses properly account for the taxes they collect.

Source: classfmonline.com/Prince Benjamin